13 January 2022
Mrs Ashley Culhane, Head of Year 9
Managing anxiety and the importance of a well-balanced diet were the focus of Woldingham’s first Wellbeing Wednesday of 2022 on 12 January. Wellbeing Wednesdays are part of our ongoing efforts to promote positive mental and physical health and proactively equip students with the tools they need to be effective in managing their emotions, overcome challenges, and ultimately thrive.
Students in all year groups attended a workshop on anxiety, led by qualified counsellors Amanda and Mia. The sessions provided students with an understanding of what anxiety is, how normal it is, helping humans facing dangerous situations to stay alive, and why it can monopolise our brains and cause physical responses when danger isn’t present. Amanda and Mia also provided excellent advice on a variety of different ways of coping with anxiety. The sessions for students in Years 11 and Upper Sixth focused on dealing with exam-related anxiety. Students will receive a copy of the presentation to help them put theory into practice.
Students in Years 7 to 11 also had a Nutrition and Wellbeing Workshop, led by Rosie Molinari Bsc Msc RNutr (Public Health), a leader in Sodexo’s schools public health team. With the help of Sodexo Development Chef, Martin, Rosie discussed the importance of different foods and food groups for both academic and sporting success and provided information about the importance of a well-balanced diet for wider health and wellbeing. Some students were also lucky enough to sample Martin’s sweet potato chana masala, cooked during the session as a demonstration of a well-balanced meal.